I'm not going to speak for Omega's testing regime, but I can say that there is (or should be) far more to a belt test than a mere recognition of skill, pomp and/or ceremony.

IMO maybe for some tests, but not all, or even most. We did had an large challenge for our black belt tests in kenpo, but most of the others were essentially going over the material and seeing if you knew it.

IMO maybe for some tests, but not all, or even most. We did had an large challenge for our black belt tests in kenpo, but most of the others were essentially going over the material and seeing if you knew it.

One of the advantages of kendo is that it's easy to set up a test where you demonstrate that you can execute the material against another candidate for the same rank. This is tough for non-weapons stuff because size differences enter into it. But every test I've taken, the main thing is to show you can walk the walk against another guy same level.

I think this is way better than the demo the curriculum tests that are standard in judo.

When I was teaching out of a fitness facility, I charged half of what I charge now. I now teach out of warehouse located in the back of a friend's business with much worse facilities for my students. I have more students now than I did when I charged less.

There is something psychologically that happens when you attach a monetary value to something. As another poster said, if you charge nothing for it people start to belive it is worth nothing.

I'm not going to speak for Omega's testing regime, but I can say that there is (or should be) far more to a belt test than a mere recognition of skill, pomp and/or ceremony.

My last test affected me in a deep psycghological/spiritual way that has taken me weeks to recover from (and not just because of the cracked ribs i received during). As well as providing me the opportunity to showcase what I have learned, it pushed me beyond the limits of my abilities and conditioning and highlighted what I need to work on and how far I have to go.

And no, didn't have to pay for it but gladly would have contributed.

My blackbelt tests take over 8 hours to get through. My longest to date was 20 hours over 2 days. You should ask Coffeefan what happened with his belt test.

Originally Posted by cualltaigh

I'm not going to speak for Omega's testing regime, but I can say that there is (or should be) far more to a belt test than a mere recognition of skill, pomp and/or ceremony.

My last test affected me in a deep psycghological/spiritual way that has taken me weeks to recover from (and not just because of the cracked ribs i received during). As well as providing me the opportunity to showcase what I have learned, it pushed me beyond the limits of my abilities and conditioning and highlighted what I need to work on and how far I have to go.

And no, didn't have to pay for it but gladly would have contributed.

My blackbelt tests take over 8 hours to get through. My longest to date was 20 hours over 2 days. You should ask Coffeefan what happened with his belt test.

Wow. My last was shorter (though more intense) than my old 6-8 hour JJJ gradings and was still 2.5hrs of mat time.

The fundamental components of the test are the same up to and including 7 dan, although of course the level expected grows. Free sparring for about 2 minutes each with 2 other candidates, plus a kata demonstration that takes 5 or 10 minutes. At 8 dan in Japan they have a two-tier system, so if you make the first cut you have to do 2 more sparring rounds with other people who also made the first cut.

Cool documentary about the Japanese 8 dan test below. Pass rate is under 1%, considered tougher than any other exam in Japan including professional certification ones (CA and the like).